Chapter 21 – Accidents
I wiggled my bracelet on my wrist as the nerves began to sink in. We had just dropped Liam off at Troy's mom's house and we were going straight to mine which only took five minutes.
Troy slipped his hand over my thigh as if he knew that was going to calm me down. "Would you relax?" he asked me with a quick glance. I nervous groan escaped my lips, "I have no clue how she is going to react seeing me. I mean we have not even talked over the phone since everything happened."
"And we are going to forgive and forget." Troy said rubbing my knee, "Since she is my mom." I repeated for the hundredth time that morning. We had been here for barely twenty-four hours since we left South Carolina and I was going to my mom's house.
Troy pulled into the driveway and the car turned off. Troy unbuckled his seatbelt as I swallowed hard, I knew I could move but it just was not happening.
"Maybe this would be better another time?" I suggested nerves creeping into my skin, "Oh no," Troy said as he unbuckled my seatbelt for me. "We are telling her now, giving her the news about our engagement and seeing if we trust her or not." Troy said shrugging his shoulders.
"It seems so more emotional than that!" I freaked as my breathing began to pick up, I did not know how to react this was new. I have never had this big of a fight with my mom to the point I could not trust her. My breathing grew deeper and faster.
"Hey, calm down." Troy said getting out of the car. My door quickly opened and Troy pulled me out. I fell limp in his arms as he rubbed my back. "Yup, you are a mess."
I felt my legs start to form as I tried to back away from Troy. "The last time I stood here was when I told my mom I was pregnant with Liam." I paused to stop, "Now about a year later not quiet yet but I am telling her I am engaged." I laughed a little, "Please dear lord lets hope for a better reaction." I muttered
Troy laughed shaking his head as we both walked towards the steps deep breaths leaving my mouth. Troy knocked on the door as he gripped my hand and squeezed it. The door unlocked and I thought about all of the times I opened the door for Troy. I sighed gently as I leaned against Troy.
The door popped open and Sam, my stepdad, stood on the other side. "Gabi, Troy." He sounded shocked and a smile spread over his face. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Visiting." I told him quietly as I felt myself turning shy, "More like we are here to talk to Maria." Troy added giving me a quick glance.
"Come on in," he said opening the door more for us. Troy and I stepped through and as if routine, I slipped my shoes off and I looked around to see nothing has changed.
"Maria! We have some visitors!" Sam called up the stairs. Troy walked towards the couch as I followed him there. I sat down and I closed my eyes trying to force myself to keep relaxed.
"Sam honey, I am helping Kyle…," she said coming up towards me, I opened my eyes to see she was not in the living room yet.
"Honey, I really think you should come down here." He added giving us a quick glance. I took a shaky breath as she appeared at the top of the stairs that lead down from the upstairs hallway. My mom looked down at Sam and he looked back over at us. When she looked back at us, a cry escaped her mouth.
"Gabi?" I bit on my lip as I stood up. Troy stayed put but I could feel his eyes closely on me. My feet stepped in front of one another trying not to fall or trip. I kept an eye on her as she made her way down on the stairs. I felt like my life was going in slow motion but before I knew it my moms arms were closing in around me.
I felt a sob escape a throat as we both started to cry. Tears escaped down my cheeks as I held onto her. I never thought holding my mom like this would be so good. I felt like I was never mad at her as she cried into my shoulder. Almost as if nothing had every changed.
When I pulled back, her brown eyes bored into mine. "We still need to talk." I whispered, she nodded, "I know but thank you for just showing it." I nodded as I let go wiping away some of my tears with the back of my hand. When I turned around Troy was standing there as if he knew I was going to need him.
"Should I grab some drinks or anything?" Sam asked, "How about we just have some water bottles honey." Sam nodded before bouncing up the stairs. Kyle came down the stairs with a pair of keys in his hands, "Oh, hey Gabs." He noticed the tears between us, "I think I am going to head out."
My mom said something to him as I sat down next to Troy. He rubbed my back softly, "I love you," his whispered ran through my body as if it was what I was going to hold on to for the rest of my life. I twisted the ring on my finger as Sam sat down across from us and my mom joined him.
We stayed quiet for a long time. Nobody talked as I kept my head down looking in my lap every now and then looking up to see what the other two were doing.
Troy grabbed a water bottle and took a few drinks from it. I felt like this house has never changed, the smell of vanilla still drifted through the house with a mix of lilac. The furniture was all the same from when I was younger.
"Why?" I asked simply as I lifted my head to look her in the eyes. She licked her lips calmly and I played with her hands as she tried to avoid my eyes.
"I have no clue Gabi." Her hands began to shake as Sam let his hand run over her thigh. "I always thought as long as if you are out of high school I would not care if you got pregnant. You were done with high school." She sounded baffled as she spoke, "Then you came here. You looked scared and upset. You didn't seem excited or happy about anything that's why I snapped."
I knew where she was coming from I was scared. "Mom, I was scared to tell you. I knew you would not be happy with us. I knew what you were against and I knew how you would react." I paused as I looked towards her eyes, "And I exactly got what I thought."
"I didn't mean those text messages Gabi. It ate at me forever and Thanksgiving, I was drunk." That part I knew, I knew that she was drunk and that would be the reason we dropped charges. "Mom, I just need to know if you support the decisions of us having Liam or not."
"100% Gabi, I just want to meet him and be his grandmother." I took a shaky breath, "I need your trust first mom, I need that because I can not let you be alone with him."
"I understand Gabi, I totally understand. My actions were totally out of line and I want to gain your trust." She got up and came over to sit next to us. "Troy why don't you and I go catch up out back." Troy looked at me, "Go." I told him letting go of his hand, He nodded before kissing my forehead.
"Holler if you need me okay?" I nodded as they both left the room and I looked over at my mom. "I want to ask why every time I look at you." I said, "And you already told me why before and it just wont sink in with me."
My mom took a fast shaky breath, "You are my first born," she dabbed at the corner of her eyes. "You are the one I worked my ass off for when your world got turned upside down but Troy was always there when you had a rough patch. When you were younger and all of the moving then, yeah it was me or your dad."
I swallowed the lump that was growing in my throat, "I know I freaked out when you told me. I know this because I hurt you so badly. I hurt you so bad that I do not know if we can fix this relationship."
Those were some of the words I have been dying to hear, I gave her a long look before I turned my head away from her. A sigh left her mouth before she stifled in the silence. "I know this was hard for you."
"No!" I snapped, "You do not know how hard this is for me! You do not know how hard it was to come up to this door step and see if I can forgive you!" screams filled the room while she nodded her head. Tears washed in my eyes.
"You do not know how it was to have to forget about you the day I was giving birth to my son! It was so hard!" I screamed at her and she slowly took it in. "I have to push every single thought about you out of my mind because I can not forgive you because of how hard it was." I broke down in tears and I then felt that hand on my back that I knew would always be there for me.
"Alright, I am thinking it's about time for a break." Sam suggested, "How about we take fifteen minutes or so before,"
"No." my mom said, "You guys should go away, I am pretty sure we are getting somewhere." My mom softly whispered Troy did not let go as I let my head fall against his shoulder. "You know, I probably just should stay." Troy added I grabbed his hand before I looked up. "Please, Stay." I said, "I will." He added
Looking back up at my mom, I could see she was crying. I fought out of Troy's arms as he quietly sat back in the background. "Please, don't try to sympathize with the pain I had to go through when you did it all against me."
"Gabi, I know I shouldn't have done anything I did and there is nothing I can say to fix it." She let her arms fall to her side. "You can forgive me or you can hate me forever but I can not decide that for you." She said quietly, I looked at Troy and he read the message.
"I will be back in a moment," he said leaving the room. I looked back at the room, "I want to forgive you mom." The word felt bitter against my tongue, "And I think I can forgive you…one day." Looking up at me, she felt hopeful. "Right now, I think we are going to have to work back in a relationship. Talk, email, and maybe one day you can meet Liam but I can not risk that right now."
Tears formed in her eyes, "Could I please just see him before you leave town? I do not have to even touch him but I wish to just see him." I pursed my lips together, "I will talk to Troy," I whispered as I stood up from the couch. My mom quickly stood and again wrapped her arms around my shoulders.
Nobody interrupted the moment and I pulled back from her. "I should be going." I told her quietly, "I will call you later and maybe we can set up dinner to catch up."
"How about tonight?" her voice sounded hopeful, "Mom, I am thinking I am going to need a lot of sleep from this. I am emotional and mentally tired; I can not go out to dinner tonight." Her eyes dropped quickly as I caught Sam's eyes.
"But, maybe tomorrow night. We can get together and talk as long as you want. I don't want to talk about what happened though, I just want to talk about life and how its going." She gave me a quick smile before Troy wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Come on baby girl,"
We began to walk towards the car when I forgot to tell her something. "Mom," I choked out before turning around in Troy's arms. Her eyes quickly found mine, "We came here to tell you something else." I told her with a long look.
"What please don't tell me you are pregnant again?" She said with a tight smile, "No," I said trying to pull back the laugh. "I am engaged." A huge grin flipped onto her face while she let a small squeal leave her mouth. "Congrats." She finally said composing herself.
Sam hugged on her as if this changed her life forever. I waved goodbye as Troy and I walked out of the front door. He walked me to the car as Troy opened the door for me. I felt as if my life was in a fluid straight motion, I was tired and I pulled on the seatbelt over my chest.
My eyes fluttered close until I felt us pull into a driveway. I opened my eyes to see us back at the hotel; a blur felt as if it passed by. Troy opened my door again helping me out.
"Are you going to be okay?" he asked me, I shrugged my shoulders as my head collapsed against his chest. My feet shuffled along as we got onto an elevator and up to the top floor. Before I knew it, I was on the bed curling up into a ball. Troy kissed my forehead while he held me in my arms and that is when I felt the tears fall down my cheeks.
They did not stop and Troy did not talk. He did not try to comfort me because this time I needed to let them all go. This time it all just let go and I slowly drifted off to sleep. Letting my feelings escape me for just a short few hours.
I flopped in the bed as a fish, I felt uncomfortable as I slowly opened my eyes. Darkness surrounded me as I blinked my eyes back, my head pounding with a dull headache.
Flipping back over onto my stomach, a groan escaped my lips. I glanced towards the clock to see it was three, three in the morning. I sat up quickly as I glanced around the room trying to find the one thing I wanted, that I had not seen since…I felt a buzz in my head wondering.
Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, I padded across the room to the pack n play. Bending over I looked to see no Liam. I put my hand on my forehead as I began to shake. I knew where he was, or I thought I knew where he was. Shakiness doubled through my as I had to grab onto the chair.
The form in the bed looks like Troy was sleeping peacefully. I sat down into the chair as I pulled my legs up to my chest. I let my tears soak my jeans that I was still in from earlier. I had no idea how long I had slept for, a groan come from the direction of the queen-sized bed.
"Fuck," he whispered quietly into the pillow, it sounded more like muck. He lifted his head up blinking his eyes a few times before he sat up rubbing his eyes.
I buried my head into my knee; I heard the movements of him getting out of bed and him walking towards me. Troy put his hand on my shoulder, "Baby, how long have you been up?" he asked, I looked up at him for a moment and then he knew not long. He wrapped his arms around me tightly as I hugged on him.
"Where is Liam?" I cried softly into his shoulder, "With my mom, you know that," he said rubbing my hair, "I want him," pulling my head back I looked at him. "Babe, its three in the morning," his voice soothed me a little but I needed that one thing.
"Please," I begged, Troy sighed as he picked me up carrying me over to the bed. Troy sat down on the bed as I buried my head into his shoulder. "You slept for hours," he murmured, I sniffled quietly into his ear.
"It was hard to go and get him. Plus I knew we needed a break from him." I shook my head into his shoulder, "Please, can we please go get him."
Troy did not say anything, "Can I please go get him?" I murmured, Troy finally sighed and kissed my temple. "No, I will go and get him. You are in no shape to go out."
"I was very uncomfortable in bed and when I woke up I thought it was like three in the afternoon, I havent seen Liam in over twenty four hours." I gripped my arms around Troy tighter, "I know," he said quietly, "Why don't you go change into something a little more comfortable while I go get Liam from my parents house." Neither of us moved from our spots.
"I guess I should get going, I will be back in about twenty minutes." We both stood up and I escaped to the bathroom before slipping on a pair of sweatpants. Hearing the hotel bedroom door open and close I knew he was gone. Tears fell down my cheeks, as I got ready.
Taking some Advil since my head still had the dull pain that was nagging. I quietly paced the hotel room knowing I would have my little boy in my arms soon.
Troy's POV
Why was I so whipped? I pushed on the gas pedal as I leaned over the steering wheel looking at the empty road. Licking my bottom lip, I could have just said no to her leaving but the tears.
She was getting emotional a whole lot easier, which only meant one of two things. She was PMSing; there was no way around it. Mood swings were high but that could all be placed back with her mom. That was a bit emotional.
I drove through the quiet streets passing old things that I once claimed as mine. I passed the familiar park where I found Gabi after my dad snapped at us. I pulled my black hood over my head as East High came into view. A smile flirted with my lips as I tried not to turn the car into the parking lot. That is where I made the decision to carry on with basketball and to go to UCLA.
Turning down my street and up to my house that I spent eighteen years of my life, I pulled into the driveway and I shut off my car. I sat in the driver seat of the car looking at the black house. Pushing open the door, I walked up to the front door and unlocked it.
Not having snuck in this house since the night before graduation, I was a little rusty with the squeaks. I stepped over the first square are straight up the steps. My mom said they were putting him in my old bedroom as a comfort. I sunk up the stairs and quietly passed my mom and dads room hoping they were sleeping.
Once getting to my room, I pushed open the door and there was the crib my parents had bought just for him and future grandkids.
Stepping towards it I peered over to see him, sleeping with his hands curled up to his chest. I slowly started to pick him up.
"Who the hell are you trying to steal a baby?" I jumped out of my skin, "Jesus, don't scare me like that." I said turning around to face Jenni. She began to laugh as she looked at me. "Maybe if you don't walk around in black in your old room trying to steal a baby,"
I made a face at her, "I am not stealing. I am pretty sure my name is on his birth certificate." Jenni giggled and I instantly knew she was drunk.
"Who the hell is in their?" my mom whispered, she came into the room before jumping backwards. "Why the hell are you two standing here?" she took a few whiffs of Jenni before scrunching her nose up.
"Jenni, are you drunk?" she began to giggle before flipping through her hair. Looking in her eyes I knew what was about to happen. I swiftly made my way towards her before she collapsed into my arms.
"How did you see that coming?" she asked me, "Gabi gets the same look in her eyes when she is drunk back in college. It took me a few times but I got it after two." I picked her up as I dragged her over to my bed.
Laying her down I went back over to Liam, "Is there any reason you are over here at three thirty in the morning getting your son?"
"Gabs woke up," I picked him up as he began to squeal, "She panicked and all she wants is him, I am hoping she will pass out again."
My mom nodded her head, "Is she holding up?"
"God, I swear she is PMSing, but the doctor said not to expect that for a few months, like five or six." I shrugged my shoulders as Liam curled up against my shoulder. I grabbed his car seat and we went off to place him inside.
"She could be," my mom said wrapping her arms around her chest. "Since she isn't breastfeeding then I would say she could be," I buckled him in as he began to cry once more. I put a blanket over him as I grabbed the car seat and began to swing it next to my leg to calm him down.
"So I get to have that, a baby, and, "I didn't even finish my sentence, "You guys are doing fine for new parents."
Setting down Liam's car seat, I rubbed my hand over my face. "I better be getting back before she gets freaked out. I don't really want that," I said giving on off a laugh. My mom shook her head, "No, we really don't. Are you going to stop by tomorrow?" I thought about it for a second, "Probably. I need to talk to dad for a little while about the charity game on Friday."
"Oh, okay."
My mom walked me out of the room and to the car. "Be safe, I will see you later." She said kissing my cheek; I walked away from her as I snapped Liam's car seat into place.
He began to cry as I was disrupting his night. I shut the door and got in to drivers seat of the car. My mom waved as I back out of the driveway. I felt my eyes grow heavier as I drove away from the lights of my parent's house. I scratched the top of my hand as I stopped at a stoplight. I pushed on the brake slowly as I rested my head on the back of the headrest.
I tried to keep my eyes from closing but that is all they wanted to do. When I opened them, again, my light had just turned green and I pushed the car forward. I did not even have time to react when a car came barreling through the intersection. I tried to keep the car going faster but the car slammed into the other side of mine at a hard force. My head slammed against the steering wheel. I felt my heard Liam's cry grow louder but I felt stuck.
I groaned, as I felt something sticky on my forehead. That is when I passed out.
I glanced down at my phone as it had been almost two hours since Troy had left. I nervously bit at my fingers and glanced around the hotel room again.
It was five in the morning and I had not slept since I woke up at three. I pulled my phone up to my ear and I called Troy again, it was about the fifth time I had tried to call him. He might have fallen asleep at his parent's house.
The phone rang three times before somebody answered, "Troy!" I said as soon as the ringing stopped. "Is this Mrs. Bolton?" I raised an eyebrow, as this was a foreign voice. "Huh? This is Gabi, Troy is my fiancée."
Nobody spoke at the other end all I heard was murmurs, "Well, Troy was in an accident tonight." I felt a rush run through me as I felt my heart start to pound.
"What?" I asked trying to produce the information she just told me. "Troy Bolton was in a car accident about an hour ago. There was a small infant in…" I broke down in tears, "Oh my God, is my baby okay?"
"We would rather you come in," she started and that is when I hung up with her. I let my fingers slide over Jack's number as quickly as I could. This was my entire fault, all my fault. Tears fell down my cheek as I tried to breathe in and out.
"Gabs are everything okay?" Jack's sleepy voice said into the phone, I shook with emotion, "Troy, car accident" I cried into the phone, and there was some rustling on the other end of the phone. "Oh my, tell her we will be there in a few minutes."
"Gabs, just hold on we are going to get Liam,"
"Shit!" Lucille mumbled at the other end, "Liam is with Troy! He came over to get him!" then the rustling grew heavier as I started to pull on a pair of jeans, grabbed the backpack and the diaperbag sitting in the corner. "We are getting in a car; we will be there in a minute."
"Ok," I whispered as I grabbed another item of Troy's clothes. I hung up with Jack as I ran around the hotel trying to find anything and everything I needed.
Once I was done, I ran down to the front of the hotel to see Jack come forward with the car. It came to a lurching stop and I jumped into the side. "How are you holding up?" Lucille asked, "I have yet had time to cry," I told her as the car started up again. She nodded, as the car became silent, "I told him to be safe,"
"I don't know what happened," I mumbled, "I called his cell phone for somebody else to answer probably a nurse. Told me that they had been in an accident, I was praying to God Liam was not in the car yet." That is when tears formed in my eyes. "They said they want me to come in before they talk about him."
Lucille's arms wrapped around my shoulder as sobs softly filled the car. I stopped the tears as felt the car come to a screeching halt. I looked up wiping them away and I pushed the door open to take a running start. My kid was all I could think about. Liam, how the hell was Liam, my chest tightened as I made it to the service desk. I pushed people out of my way.
"Liam Bolton," I stuttered my words out, "Troy Bolton either of them." I demanded, the nurse looked up at me and she must have noticed my look because she only nodded her head.
"I will have a nurse come escort you," she said paging somebody, but not two seconds later, a nurse was standing there.
"Mrs. Bolton," I did not even correct her, as it would soon be true. "Yours husband came in here with a head injury but luckily it was only,"
"Liam! I need to know about the small infant they brought in with him." I begged, "The baby that won't stop crying," She pushed a button on the elevator, "He is completely fine but a few bruises and a cut. He just has been crying none stop, since dad is passed out still we didn't want to do anything."
We stopped off the floor and we both stepped out, "So he is fine, Troy is just hurt."
"He has a concussion, a sprained wrist which should heal after a few days, a few broken fingers and he woke up for a few minutes freaking out so we sedated him. Would you like to see Liam or Troy first?"
"Liam, please. I am worried sick about him," I suddenly felt just a little better knowing Liam was not hurt but I felt so bad for Troy. It was my entire fault for him getting hurt, if I could just have waited until now then I could have seen Liam and Troy would not be hurt.
The nurse walked me into the nursery where I could hear Liam's screams. I just wanted to run to him, the nurse showed me to him and I picked him up. His crying began to quiet as I cradled him against my chest. His hands curled up against me and he instantly quieted.
"My baby," I whispered as I held him tightly against me. Tears formed in my eyes as I kissed the top of his head. "I will guide you to Mr. Bolton's room. We will place a crib in there for little Liam here. We are also keeping Troy here very quiet, is there a list you would like us to keep to let people know about him."
Giving a quick nod as I wiped my tears away with the back of my hand. "Yea, uhm his mom and dad are out in the lobby probably wondering where the hell I went. If you would please tell them I will be out soon to get them but I want a minute with Troy." I told her, "They can probably give you the same list as I can,"
She nodded as we got back on the elevator and up two more floors. "He is being monitored since he did hit his head pretty hard. It will probably be a night stay before we let him go home."
I nodded softly as my lips pressed against Liam's head again. When we got off, "Tammy, this is Bolton's wife."
"He is not married." The girl protested I rolled my eyes, "That is his girlfriend though."
I just nodded, "If you need proof that I am really his girlfriend just go ask his parents but can I please see him?" I asked I really did not want to leak our engagement yet.
"I know she is," the nurse confirmed and we moved forward. Then we came to a room where people were in and out. Right next to that room was where I saw the name Bolton. My feet went faster than my brain could; my feet were through the room. His head had a white bandage wrapped around his. His wrist in a brace and a few of his fingers wrapped up.
"They still have him in sedation so he probably won't wake up until they take him off." My eyes did not separate from his body, "Thanks," I said as she stepped out of the room. There was a small crib that they had brought in here as we had arrived. Liam was asleep so I laid him down. I then went over to Troy's bed and I leaned over letting my fingers trace over his cheek.
"I'm so sorry," I told him quietly, "It's all of my fault, I am so sorry." I cried letting my head fall against his chest. He did not move but the sound of his heart beating made me feel slightly better.
I sat up, I brushed my tears away, and I stood straighter. I picked up Liam as I walked out of the room; they said he was not going to wake up anytime soon so that means I should go get Jack and Lucille. When I looked up, they were coming towards us.
"There you are! I didn't even see where you went." I stayed quiet as I turned around and led them to the room. "Is he awake?"
I shook my head, "No, they have him under sedation." I told them as I took a seat in the chair next to his bed. Lucille gave a slight nod before giving her son a kiss on the forehead.
I curled the blanket around me tighter as I shifted in the chair again. It was almost five that night and they had just taken Troy off sedation. Liam had been discharged so Lucille and Jack took him home so he did not get sick. I had tried to fall asleep in my chair but it was growing harder knowing Troy could be awake soon.
Taylor, Sharpay and all the rest of them knew about Troy. They were all flying in on Wednesday to come down for the basketball game on Friday, which was looking like Troy could only play if they pushed it back at least until next Sunday but I was not sure about anything.
The doctor had come in several times to check over Troy. When they decided to bring him off, they said he would come out in pain. Until they knew how much pain he was in then they would give him more drugs to help. I sat up rubbing my eyes as I felt insanly bad all over again as I looked at him.
I lay back again closing my eyes. Minutes later I heard him start coughing. I rose up to see him start to open his eyes and the coughing began to get a little worse.
"Water," he choked, I grabbed the cup sitting next to me and placed it into his good hand. The wristband fell down his arm, his tan arm. He then began to groan in pain, I stood up letting the blanket fall to my feet. He coughed again before letting his eyes fall closed again.
"My head," his eyes opened more but fell close. I looked up to see the lights he had a head injury. I do not think lights are going to help. I got up shut off the lights and I went back over to Troy touching his arm lightly. "Hey," I whispered, "The lights are off," I told him as I pressed the button for a nurse to come here.
He did not try to open his eyes again but his hand roamed the bed before his hand found mine. He slipped it into mine as he tried to life his other hand.
"Can I help you?" A nurse whispered, "He is awake." I said turning around, "He tried to open his eyes but I think the lights bugged him."
"His concession, he will be sensitive with lights and loud noises. Almost like a migraine." The nurse went to the other side of Troy's bed. "Troy, I am your nurse, Amy; I need you to open your eyes for me." I squeezed his hand lightly as his blue eyes fluttered open. "Can you tell me your full name?"
"Troy Anthony Bolton," he whispered, "Do you know what happened?" she asked, "Car accident?" he questioned what he knew, "All I can remember is lights and loud crying." A small gasp ran through him as if he realized what he just said.
"Do you know who it was that was crying?" she asked, "My son, Liam," he answered, he looked up at me and I just simply nodded my head at him. "Alright it seems your memory is fine. We are going to keep you overnight just to keep monitoring you. You are also on a liquid diet only right now."
"Alright," his voice sounded hoarse since he has not used it in quiet a while. "Would you like anything?" the nurse asked, "Nothing, I am fine." Amy shot something through his IV before leaving the room.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like a bus hit me." He whispered quietly, "Where is Liam? How is Liam?" he asked looking at me, "Fine. Nothing happened to him but he was scared, they said he never stopped crying. He had a few bruises but he is fine, trust me I didn't let go of him for a long time,"
He closed his eyes again before giving a groan, "Is he with my mom?" he asked a few minutes later, "Yea," I chewed on my lip thinking if I should say something.
"Troy," I said as I sat down on the edge of his bed. "I am so sorry, I did this-" Troy opened his eyes quickly and he looked freaked, "Don't say that." He tried to sound forceful but you could tell he was hurt.
"Don't say what Troy? I am the one who made you go get Liam."
"No, if I didn't go that means it would have been you and then you would be the one in this bed. I need you to just let it all go and forget it."
I took in a shaky breath, "Do you want me to call your mom to bring Liam up for you?" he shook his head, "my head hurts and my wrist is," I leaned against his shoulder "Get comfortable, just lay next to me."
I did and I draped my arms over his stomach. He squeezed my hand again, "I am the one who should be sorry," he murmured, "No, nobody I guess should be sorry. I have had many hours to think about it,"
"Wait, how long have I been out?" he asked, "twelve or so hours…" I murmured into his ear, "really?"
"You were under sedation." I told him, "I guess you woke up freaking out so they were scared to wake you up." Troy laughed quietly as he kissed my forehead. "I'm sorry," he murmured, "Not for the accident, for not being there when you needed me." I rolled my eyes laughing, "Really? That is what you are going to say sorry about? I think you just want to be sorry,"
He let a small smile come across his lips, "Maybe, but I just need to say those words."
"Don't ever think you have to say those words to be unless you know you are in the dog house." He kissed my forehead before his head laid on my chest.
"I have never had this bad of a headache before," he groaned trying to keep his eyes open. I sent a fast text to his parents saying he was awake but not up for visitors. I ran my fingers through Troy's soft hair, "Hopefully the pain meds will kick in." He stifled a yawn and closed his eyes.
"Go back to sleep," I murmured quietly to him as I pushed his bangs out of his eyes. He squeezed my hands and then gave him a quick kiss on the temple. "I love you." I whispered and we Troy slowly drifted off to sleep.
I laid there for hours thinking about everything, making sure Troy was still breathing. I could hear the heart rate monitor in the background.
It was a little past eleven when Troy's eyes shut open. He then proceeded to throw up all over the both of us. I shocked flew off the bed and Troy just lay there not really doing anything. A nurse was quickly in our room, "It's probably just from the head injury, you can go take the shower while I help get him cleaned up." I could tell Troy was completely embarrassed as I made my way to the bathroom and I turned around.
"If you need, there is a pair of sweatpants of his in the bag over there. Then also there is a t-shirt." I said giving off a glance at Troy who looked like he could totally throw up again.
"Thank you, do you have extra clothes?" I looked down and nodded, "Yea, I do." Honestly this did not feel very gross, I just felt bad for Troy who probably will not look in me in the eye later. I have puked on Troy before but I do not think he would ever think it would happen to me.
I jumped into the shower and I just rinsed off. I got back out wrapping a towel around my body as I stepped out to get my clothes from the bag. I walked out to see Troy still had his eyes closed but he was changed.
I grabbed the bag and I went back to the bathroom. Changed and walked back out, I went over and to Troy climbing into the bed right next to him.
"Now, I am completely sorry." He said, I tried to hold off the laugh but I let it loose. "Really? How many times did I puke on you when I was pregeant?"
"A few but that was different you had,"
"So did you! A concussion though Troy, that is big. I really do not care; it was fixed with a shower. I love you, nothing will change it." He closed his eyes as he wrapped his arm around me. "Come on, let's sleep."
"Good, it's about time for some good sleep."
He kissed my temple, "I am going to sleep in the chair," I mumbled
"Why?" he asked
I waited for a minute, "This is very uncomfortable." He let out a small laugh, "Fine but I am going to miss you over here."
"That's fine, you need a little missing."
"I get enough of that during basketball season,"
"Yea, I know." I said getting off the bed. He held my hand as I walked over to the chair that reclined back. "I'll scoot the chair closer." I told him as our hands barely separated.
"Troy please be good," I told him leaning over to give him a kiss on the lips. "What are you talking about?" he asked raising an eyebrow, "Please be good for your mom alright?"
"Again may I ask what you are talking about?" I shook my head, "I don't need her worrying about two of you, and I am going off to see my mom at dinner. Anyways just be good." I warned he rolled his eyes.
"Whatever Brie! I am going to sit here and play video games with Chad!" Chad raised his beer from the other side of the couch, "Amen!"
It was Thursday night and after explaining to my mom about what happened we had rescheduled for tonight. Liam and troy were both doing better, Troy was not getting as strong as headaches and lights were not bugging him as much. They had moved the game to Sunday but I was still trying to talk him out of playing.
"Lucille, I am leaving!" I called out; I went over to the playpen and kissed him on the forehead. "Bye buddy,"
"Have fun!" she called back, I waved goodbye to everybody. I walked out the door as my mom and I were meeting at the local Mexican restaurant down the street.
"Call me if you need me!" Troy said, "How are you going to get there?" I teased; he was not allowed to drive until all symptoms were gone.
"Ha-ha very funny!" he called as the door snapped shut behide me. I laughed shaking my head as I became nervous. My Miss Me jeans tugging against my thighs and the flowing tank top I had on reminded me of the one I wore when Troy came to see me the before I was supposed to leave for Stanford.
I walked down to Jenni's car, the one she was letting me use for the night. Since we had bought it for her, it was our only transportation.
I drove the car the five-minute drive away from here. Once I pulled in, I took a deep breath looking around to see if her car was here and sure enough, it was. I reached for my purse as I opened the door.
Taking strides forward to the door, I popped it open and I walked through the door. One the TV was the report of Troy getting into an accident and having to cancel his appearances at a few fundraisers for Wildcat Dreams. Troy's picture swirled around the TV before the car pulled up.
I took in a shaky breath before moving my way further into the restaurant to see my mom tapping her fingers against the table. I walked forward and she caught my eye. A warm smile wrapped over her face as I walked closer. I brought out a smile as I slid into the booth with her.
"I got you water is that okay? I don't know what you are drinking anymore." She blushed and I let off a little laugh, "No, mom it is fine." I told her, "I need some water."
She nodded and the waiter came over asking if we needed anything. I shook my head, "No, we are good."
"I will be back soon to take your order." I gave a nod before he walked away, "How are Troy and Liam?" she asked me, "Good, Troy is getting better. He can stand Liam's cry again," I said laughing, "He was getting bad headaches for the last few days but he is doing better."
I sighed, "And Liam is amazing, and I can feel that he understands what wrong." I grabbed my drink taking a long drink, "That's good, is he getting more active?"
"A little, I can not wait until he is a lot more active." I said, "They are a lot more trouble when they are more active."
"I know but the house is so quiet and I am excited to share with you, we are moving out of LA."
"Really?" she asked, I nodded, "Yes. Troy and I talked about it for a while and it is not making since living there. We are talking about somewhere in Malibu."
"I heard it's beautiful," she murmured as she glanced over the menu. The waiter came back to take our orders and that is when he walked away.
"That was once you," I giggled, I did work here for my junior and half of my senior year. "I could tell you everything about this place," I took a long sigh as I thought back to those memories.
Flashback
"Order up!" I turned around to see my order for table five waiting there. I grabbed the two plates as I grabbed Angie to help me with the other two. Walking out I walked straight there.
"Gabi," I turned to see Heather walking towards me with a headset. "Once second," I said walking past them and towards the table. "Here you guys go," I said placing both plates on the table. "I hope you all enjoy your meal. Is there anything else we can get you?"
The mom shook her head, "Nope. Thanks!" I nodded giving a smile and walked away from the table back to Heather. "Yea?"
"Your section is completely full but you had a request for you. Can you take it?" I scrunched up my eyebrows not knowing who would request me in the middle of July. Troy was away at basketball camp and wasn't due back until tomorrow, my parents were both working and Kyle was at somebody's house.
"Uhm okay? What table?" I asked her, "Twelve," I nodded and I made my way to the table. I wiped my hands off on my pants as I walked around the corner. Timmy was handing them a chip and salsa as I came up behide them. "Thanks," Then I knew who it was.
I pushed Timmy out of the way, as I jumped into Troy's lap. "What are you doing back?" I asked as my lips found his, "I got an earlier flight out, I just got back." He said laughing; I hugged him tighter as he kissed my temple. "I love you, how was camp?"
"Good, but I am pretty sure you should get back to work." I rolled my eyes softly as I got up from his lap. "I should probably go wash my hands."
I turned to leave, "Gabs wait." I turned and Troy was standing there holding his arms out, as he needed me. "Come here," I let my body sink into his and he kissed my temple.
"I love you and I have something for you."
"What?"
He pulled off his state championship ring and then placed it on mine. "The little promise ring,"
I looked up at him, "Really now?" he nodded, "Yea, I thought I do something big but you know this seemed perfect." I felt my heart gush and Troy kissed my forehead.
"You are amazing."
"Yea, I know."
I poked his chest trying not to laugh, "Whatever, I gotta get back to work."
"I'll see you in a minute."
"Alright, I will see you then."
End of Flashback
"This place holds some incredible memories." I told her, "Yea, it does but anyways want else is going on in your life."
"A lot. Troy and all of his charities, I have to start planning a wedding, Taylor's wedding, Sharpay is pregnant, and it's just all so mind boggling."
"Shar's pregnant?" she asked, I nodded, "And she doesn't know who the dad is." My mom's eyes bulged, "What?"
I nodded, "Yea, when Zeke and she broke up, she went to a club and you know from there. Then I guess her and Zeke got back together, so yea."
"If you did that to me, we probably would not be sitting here," her eyes wondered ahead of me, "I will always support you and Troy Gabs, I know its crazy but that's what I should do as a parent." I listed closely to her as I played with my fork.
"Yea, mom I just wanted you to be proud of me." My mom began to say something but the food came in front of us. Our eyes meet and I looked at her. We both just nodded and we began to eat dinner.
It was silent for a few minutes until my mom began to talk. "I got a new job at the hospital down the street," she said, "As a nurse; I am only working part time."
"That's awesome," I told her, "Yea, it really is and Kyle moved back in with me. I feel like everything is falling back into place again,"
I nodded as I took a bite out of the burrito I got. "The only thing that would be better is if my daughter would let me back into her life and I could see my grandson."
I closed my eyes as I set down my fork. "That's asking a lot."
"And we are no supposed to be talking about this, my bad." She added, "Yea, so uhm what are you doing over at the hospital?"
"I am in the nursery actually," I felt my eyes raise, "Really?" she nodded, "Yea, really."
"That's amazing mom but really what is going on in your life?" she sighed pushing her plate away from her body. "Nothing. My life is so boring and plain that I just wish something would happen. Kyle moved back in but he is never there. Sam is starting to work more hours and I am left alone at the house a lot. I never have people around and I just miss it."
"I would still live in California mom,"
"I know but I could call you whenever I wanted without you not answering. You have a wedding come up in your life I want to be there for that and I want to help you with that."
"And I want you too!" I protested her, our waiter came over and took all of our plates away. She looked up at the ceiling and rubbed her eyes. "I just," I could not find the right words to say. "I just need you to understand that Troy and Liam are coming first in my life. If you ever do anything else to them, I cannot keep doing this to them. You have to stay constant mom, Liam can not have his grandmother in for a second and then pulls out."
"And I'm not going to do that. I know how much you want me there for him but I know how much you want me in your life." I pulled my lip over my teeth as I looked at her.
"I think we should go take a walk." I mumbled as I stood up quickly. I laid a fifty on the table and we both got up to leave. Walking out I turned to look at her, "I do want you,"
"And you do make me proud. You make me so proud; you have fought through a lot to get here today. Your dad, Troy, me, college, and just everything but here you are. Standing here proud of what you have accomplished, you are building a family and maybe you did backwards but," tears caught in her eyes.
"You are still building that family and you are going to make it one of the best." I pulled her into a long hug as we stood outside of the restaurant. I felt her hug tighten on me as she kissed my forehead. "Thank you," she cried
"No, thank you. Thank you for understanding." I told her as we pulled back, "You will always make me proud, I promise you." She nodded her head and then we pulled back. "I'll see you later mom,"
I walked back to the car as I got in I knew what I had to tell Troy. I know what I had to tell Troy. I drove around the town as I only had been gone for a little over two hours. I drove around the town that made me grow and I just knew.
Pulling back into the driveway, I shut off the car. I sat in the dark car for several minutes trying to process this information. Once I knew what I might say I rehearsed what I was going to tell Troy repeatedly. I pulled at my purse as I made my way up to the front door and I pushed the door open.
"Hey, look whose back." I waved off a smile as Troy was still sitting in the living room with Chad playing Call of Duty.
"Come on, lets go talk upstairs," I told him, his smile instantly disappeared off of his face as he thrower off the blanket. I helped him up and we made our way up the stairs towards his bedroom. "Liam is up there sleeping so if this is going to require yelling." I shook my head, "I sure hope not,"
Making my way into Troy's room, I shut the door behide us. Troy's sweatpants sagged on his waist and he sat down on the bed. I pursed my lips together as the words ran through my head of what I was about to tell him but I stopped and just let my head drop into my hands.
"God damn," I whispered, "I thought I had my mind made up that I could not have a relationship with her."
"Why would you do that?" I shook my head, "I don't know, it just sounded right," I turned to look him in the eye "but then she was just so honest and nice. It was like I was talking to my mom all over again." Troy looked over towards Liam's crib.
"This has been such a crazy week for me. I just don't want anything to make it worse but honestly-"
"Wait, what would make it worse?"
"I wasn't finished,"
"Alright then finish,"
"I was trying to; I was saying I am going to try to finish my week with a huge smile. I am going to go to my mom's house with Liam Saturday night as a surprise. You can either come or not."
Troy looked down in his lap. "What made you change your mind?"
I smiled as I sat down next to him, "She told me she was proud of me. She told me she was so proud of me." I let my head fall down on his shoulder. "And that she would support me. She also knows that if she ever messes up again she is done."
Troy hugged my shoulders. "Well then, I guess we will be seeing your mom Saturday."
"Thanks." I told him, he wrapped his arms around me and then kissed my temple. "I am glad you are turning this around."
Told you a little dramatic(: But that should be it for a few chapters because I need something a little different now. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and I hope my reviews go up. If you read you can leave annoymas reviews. So you can review no matter what,(: I love every review I read no matter what it says. If you bring advice bring it, hate bring it. Love. I love it. (: But thank you so much for ones who review every single time!
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